10 Great Reasons to Visit Cabo in Summer!

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What’s Cabo in summer like?
Truth is, there’s no bad time to visit Los Cabos.
We’ve been countless times – and no matter the season, there’s never a shortage of fun things to do in Cabo.
That said, most travelers head down in winter, when sunshine-starved Canadians and Americans escape the cold. It’s the high season for good reason.
But if a winter escape isn’t in the cards – or you choose to vacay between late spring and fall – you’re in luck. From fewer crowds to hot sunny days, here are 10 great reasons why a summer vacation in Cabo might just be your best one yet.

1) The weather in Cabo in summer is awesome!

Cabo’s winter weather
What many people don’t realize is that winter in Cabo (often used interchangeably with “Los Cabos” or “Cabo San Lucas”) isn’t super hot.
The first time we visited for a sun-and-sand holiday in winter, we thought it would be nice and hot like Zihuatanejo or the Caribbean. We only packed beach sandals and summery clothes. Bad decision. When the sun set, we were cold!
From mid-December to February, things you must take to Cabo include warmer clothes – jeans or long pants, closed-toe shoes and a jacket or sweater – as evenings are often cool.
Don’t get us wrong. You’ll still do lots of sunning on your pool or beach chair.
The average daily high in winter is around 76 to 80 F (25 to 27 C). But you can get coolish days of around 68 F (20 C) too. The average low in January is 53 F (12 C).
At night, you most often will want to sit under a heat lamp or blanket if eating outside.
Cabo’s summer weather

Now, summer in Cabo is a different story.
A summer holiday will feel much more like a Hawaii or Caribbean holiday. Days are sunny and hot, and you can ditch the jacket and long pants.
If we’re looking at the summer months from May to October (we’re being generous in our definition of “summer”), then May through mid-July and again later in October are the best summer weather months in Cabo.
Be aware that August and September are very humid, as well as hot.
Late summer is the Cabo San Lucas rainy season. Most of the rain falls in these two months (September is the rainiest month). A lot of resorts do their maintenance in September.
Because August and September are hot and sticky months, they’re the least popular times to visit Cabo.
Summer weather in Cabo San Lucas (temperatures)
According to Travel.USNews.com, these are the average highs and lows:
Cabo weather in May
High – 86 F (30 C)
Low – 62.1 F (16.7 C)
Cabo weather in June
High – 88.9 F (31.6 C)
Low – 66.4 F (19 C)
Cabo weather in July
High – 91.8 F (33.2 C)
Low – 73 F (22.7 C)
Cabo weather in August
High – 92.5 F (33.6 C)
Low – 75.6 F (24.2 C)
Cabo weather in September
High – 91 F (32.7 C)
Low – 74.1 F (23.4 C)
Cabo weather in October
High – 90 F (32.2 C)
Low – 70.3 F (21.3 C)
Cabo San Lucas hurricane season
The hurricane season in Los Cabos is technically June through October.
But Cabo usually only gets tropical storms during the hurricane season. And most of the rainy days occur in September.
Occasionally, though, hurricanes make landfall. (Hurricane Odile – the worst hurricane in Cabo – hit in September, 2014.)
2) The beaches are hot

Cabo’s beaches are one of its greatest draws.
Winter water temps in Cabo
But as with the weather, many people are surprised to learn that the water in Cabo can be a tad cool for swimming in winter.
It averages about 73 F (23 C) but can get as cold as 64 F (17 C). March has the lowest water temperature, averaging about 70 F (20 C).
Oh, you’ll always see people in the water in winter.
But sometimes, all we want to do in January is dash in, splash about for a while, then get out. And we do our ocean swimming around noon, when the sun is the hottest.
Summer water temps in Cabo

But summer? Now we’re talking warm sea water!
If you love water activities (in warm water!), then, honestly, summer in Cabo is better than winter.
Average Cabo San Lucas summer water temperature
Cabo water temperature in May
73.9 F (23.3)
Cabo water temperature in June
75.6 F (24.2 C)
Cabo water temperature in July
80.4 F (26.9 C)
Cabo water temperature in August
84.2 F (29 C)
Cabo water temperature in September
84.7 F (29.3 C)
Cabo water temperature in October
84.7 F (29.3 C)
Generally, water temperatures below 77 F (25 C) feel “cold” to most people. The ideal water temperature for swimming is between 77 C (25 F) and 82 F (28 C), which is the official water temperature for Olympic swimming competitions.
Favorite beaches

Water temperature aside, the calm waters of Medano Beach are a family favorite.
But the headliner is Lover’s Beach.

The once-hidden cove and striking rock formations around the iconic Arch make this a must for any visitor. Who doesn’t like to gaze at striking views as they top up their tan?
Better yet, combine two fun activities.
Rent a kayak or SUP board and paddle over to Lover’s Beach from Medano Beach.
Water taxis from the Cabo San Lucas Marina or Medano Beach are the easy option.

Also check out well-kept Chileno Beach, which is clean and hassle-free.
Snorkelers will want to add Santa Maria Beach to their itinerary too.
3) The Cabo turtles arrive!

Summer heralds the arrival of thousands of sea turtles on the beaches.
The Baja Peninsula is home to endangered Hawksbill, Loggerhead, Leatherback, Green Turtle and Olive Ridley turtles. (Olive Ridley turtles are the most common.)
Starting in late August, the female sea turtles come ashore from the Sea of Cortez to lay their eggs in the sand on the beaches. Then they return to the sea.

About 45 days later, the eggs hatch and baby turtles emerge.
Their job is to try and make it to the sea alive and swim away. As nature would have it, only a few of these tiny hatchlings manage to do that.
Several resorts support sea turtle conservation projects.
You can participate in a tour, led by a certified guide, where you help release the baby sea turtles to the sea. This is truly a heart-warming activity, especially for families visiting Cabo with kids.

Season: Cabo turtle release
The sea turtle season in Cabo is late August until early December.
4) Snorkeling and diving Cabo San Lucas in summer is awesome

The snorkeling and scuba diving is also better in Cabo in summer than in winter.
We already mentioned that the waters off Los Cabos are at their warmest from July until October (and through to mid-November). See the chart on Cabo water temperatures under #2 above.
During this period, visibility steadily increases. In winter, the viz is about 40 feet, but extends to up to 100 feet come October. As a consequence, many snorkelers and divers prefer the months of October and November.

We had an unbelievable time scuba diving in Cabo San Lucas in late October. On a dive excursion to Cabo Pulmo, the highlight was seeing bull and tiger sharks.
The whale shark season starts in October too, so this is a great time to snorkel with whale sharks in La Paz.
Also keep an eye out for flying manta rays in May.
5) The surfing is swell

June to August is the best time to visit Los Cabos for surfing. That’s when the Southern Hemisphere swells roll in, bringing consistent waves to both shores of the Baja Peninsula.
Make your way to beaches like Zippers and La Roca, where competitions draw out the pros and wannabes can grab a lesson on the sand.
6) The fishing in Cabo San Lucas is epic
The fishing season in Cabo lasts throughout the year. So long as you’re not too fussy about what you catch, you have an almost guaranteed chance of landing something any time of year.
But the summer months are particularly hot months for fishing in Los Cabos (pun intended).
Tuna and snapper
Tuna bite from June to January and snapper from May to September.
Marlin fishing in Cabo

The best time for marlin fishing in Cabo San Lucas is September to January. The big fish start to arrive in late August, increasing in September.
You may get lucky and fight with giant billfish. It’s common to reel in both black and blue marlin weighing 300 lbs and more.
Some reports say that the biggest billfish ever caught off Cabo San Lucas was a whopping 1,214-lb blue marlin in 2011. (Others say it was a “mere” 972 lbs.)
The absolute best time to fish in Cabo? October.
Bisbee’s Black and Blue
If you’re serious, you can time your visit in October to coincide with the 5-day Bisbee’s Black and Blue competition, one of the world’s greatest fishing tournaments.
Millions of dollars are up for grabs. In 2006, the prize money totaled $4,165,960 – the biggest payout in sportfishing history.
Join the crowd and watch as the fish are weighed in front of the Puerto Paraiso entertainment plaza.
7) The food is always good

Whether you visit Cabo off season or in the high season, the food is always delicious.
Baja California’s signature dishes originate from the northern end of the peninsula but have migrated south.
Puerto Nuevo is closely associated with lobster (it has 30+ lobster restaurants). And one of the fun facts about Mexican food is that Caesar Cardini invented Caesar salad in Tijuana.
Tijuana is also said to be where the first margaritas were concocted (though it could have been in Ensenada at Hussong’s Cantina – the margarita legend is mixed!).
But the whole area, Cabo included, is well-known for its fish tacos. That’s hardly a surprise given its proximity to the sea. (Check out where you can get the best tacos in Cabo San Lucas.)

On the other hand, fine dining – whether you call it Baja Med or Cali Baja – is the antithesis of the popular seafood tostadas, Cabo’s street food hero.
But both shine, thanks to their reliance on fresh local ingredients.
One particular restaurant you must not miss is Flora Farms, known for its excellent farm-to-table dining. (Their cocktails are lovely and creative too! Try the Farmarita, made with heirloom carrot juice.)
8) There are fewer visitors in summer

After the winter high season, Spring Break and the Easter Holiday, Cabo heads into its shoulder season in May – and you’ll encounter fewer crowds.
May and early June and then October (and early November) are blissful months for quiet beaches.
You don’t have to contend with vying for beach chairs, getting restaurant reservations or booking activities – they’re all easily available.
Mid-June to July (and even August) are popular times for family travel, so these months aren’t quite as calm.
9) Summer is a good time for families

A great time for family travel to Cabo is June (after school has ended) and July.
And what better way to enjoy your summer vacation than on the beach! Give kids a pool and a beach, and they’ll be happy holiday-goers.
And as all parents know, if your kids are content, you’ll be content too.
10) Resort rates are lower and accommodations are easier to book

In winter, it can be hard getting into the top hotels, especially some of Cabo’s adults-only resorts. (For the Christmas and New Year holidays, you often have to book a year in advance.)
Not so in summer. You’ll find it much easier to make reservations for stays anywhere in May through to October.
Summer is also the cheapest time to travel to Cabo San Lucas. Rates at hotels and resorts are much more reasonable in the summer months.
Final thoughts on Cabo’s sweet summer perks
Longer days, warm ocean swimming, fewer crowds and wallet-friendly prices? Yes, please. If you can handle a bit of heat (and the odd tropical downpour), this might just be one of the most underrated times to visit Los Cabos.
Don’t be surprised if you end up loving it more than you expected!
More of our Cabo travel guides
- 27 Epic Things to Do in Cabo: The Ultimate List
- Cabo’s 17 Finest Luxury Hotels
- Explore Beyond Cabo: 10 Cool Day Trips
- Top 10 Adult-Only Resorts in Cabo: Grown-Up Fun!
- What a Fluke! Whale Watching in Cabo
- Snorkeling at Santa Maria Beach: All You Need to Know
- Flora Farms Dishes Up Yummy Farm-to-Table Eats
- Swim With Whale Sharks in La Paz: Best Tours
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Our top travel tips and resources
General trip planning: TripAdvisor is a helpful starting point, offering loads of user reviews on hotels, restaurants and things to do.
Hotels: Booking.com is our go-to for scoring a “wow” hotel – or at least a decent one – often at lower rates than the hotel’s own website. We especially like Booking’s flexible cancellation policy! (You may prefer Expedia for booking hotels in the U.S. or Mexico.)
Vacation homes, condos and rentals: We prefer and use Vrbo (Vacation Rentals by Owner).
Flights: For the cheapest flights, search on Google Flights or Expedia. (Just be aware Expedia tickets are often non-refundable. If you want more flexibility, it’s usually worth booking directly with the airline, even if it costs a bit more.)
Airport lounge access: We love (and have) Priority Pass for comfy lounge seats, free snacks and drinks, complimentary WiFi and sometimes even showers and spa services!
Tours: For the best local food, walking and other guided tours, plus skip-the-line tickets to attractions, check out Viator (a TripAdvisor company) and GetYourGuide.
Car rental: Renting a car is often a great way to explore off the beaten path. Discover Cars searches car rental companies so you get the lowest rates.
eSIMS: Stay connected affordably with Airalo eSIMS covering 200+ countries and trusted by 10 million+ users, including us! (No more huge roaming bills!)
Travel insurance: SafetyWing is designed for frequent travelers, long-term adventurers and digital nomads. It covers medical expenses, lost checked luggage, trip interruption and more. We also have and recommend Medjet for global air medical transportation.
Travel gear: See our travel shop to find the best luggage, accessories and other travel gear. (We suggest these comfy travel sandals for city walking, the beach and kicking about.)
Need more help planning your trip? Check out our travel tips and resources guide for airline booking tips, ways to save money, how to find great hotels and other crazy useful trip planning info.
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